Who are the SIX Uncapped Players in the Wales squad for the 2026 Nations Championship? - Ruck
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Who are the SIX Uncapped Players in the Wales squad for the 2026 Nations Championship?

13 May 2026
Tom Sansom

Wales head coach Steve Tandy has unveiled six uncapped players within his massive 48-man wider training squad for this Summer’s inaugural Nations Championship.

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Wales take on the Barbarians in a pre-tournament warm-up before facing off against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa throughout July. There is plenty of note-worthy talking points to disect from the main squad announcement, as RUCK’s Wales lead correspondent Harry Tovey headed down to the camp – check out his report from the Vale right here.

In this article, we’re turning the focus upon the six uncapped hopefuls that Tandy has listed within his 48 man ensemble. The Summer international window has long been a proving ground for young talents to make their Test match mark, with the following sextet of stars pushing ton achieve just that. Here’s a run down of the six uncapped players called up into the Wales squad for the Nations Championship.

KANE JAMES (Exeter Chiefs – Back Row)

Wales may feel they have pulled off one of the biggest recruitment wins of year, after Kane James committed his international future to Steve Tandy’s side. The Exeter Chiefs back rower had been part of England’s highly successful U20 set-up, helping them win both the 2024 U20 Six Nations and the World Rugby U20 Championship, but Wales moved quickly to secure the explosive young forward.

Born in Haverfordwest, James started his rugby journey at St Peter’s in Cardiff before earning a scholarship to Sedbergh School, one of England’s elite rugby production lines. Spells in Newcastle Falcons’ academy and then Exeter Chiefs accelerated his development, with the dynamic number eight making his Premiership debut against Bristol Bears in March 2025.

James combines powerful carrying with excellent footwork and a relentless engine, traits that made him a standout performer for England U20s. He scored against France during the 2025 U20 Six Nations and consistently impressed with his athleticism and physicality against players older than him.

There is also strong rugby pedigree in the family. His father Chris played for Swansea, while sister Crystal has represented Wales. With Pacific Island heritage from his mother’s Niuean roots, James brings a blend of power and aggression Wales have desperately lacked in recent seasons. At just 21, he already looks capable of becoming a long-term international back-row option.

RHYS BARRATT (Cardiff Rugby – Prop)

Cardiff loosehead Rhys Barratt has quietly emerged as one of the most promising young front-row forwards in Welsh rugby after years of steady development through the capital region’s pathway system. Unlike some of the more headline-grabbing selections, Barratt’s rise has been built on patience, consistency and a growing reputation as a technically strong scrummager.

The prop began his rugby journey at Llantwit Fardre RFC before progressing through Pontypridd Schools and Cardiff’s age-grade system. A product of Bryn Celynnog and Coleg y Cymoedd, Barratt was identified early as a player with serious potential and travelled with Cardiff’s senior squad to South Africa during the 2021/22 URC season before even making his debut.

That first senior appearance arrived against Munster in 2022, but it was during the 2024/25 campaign that he truly started to establish himself. Injuries opened the door, and Barratt grabbed his opportunity, producing a string of assured performances in the URC while also making his first senior start in Europe against Perpignan.

A former Wales U20 international who scored against Scotland in the 2022 U20 Six Nations, Barratt has long been viewed internally as a player capable of stepping into the senior set-up. Now 24, he offers Wales depth at loose-head at a time when quality front-row options are at a premium. He may not yet be a household name, but Barratt’s call-up feels like the natural next step in a career moving steadily upward.

HARRISON KEDDIE (Dragons – Back Row)

Few call-ups in Welsh rugby feel as overdue as Harrison Keddie’s. After nearly a decade of battling in a resilient Dragons side and consistently producing standout performances, the 29-year-old back rower finally gets his opportunity on the senior international stage.

Keddie has long been one of the URC’s most underrated forwards. A product of the Dragons academy, the Magor-born flanker first burst onto the scene during Wales U20’s Grand Slam-winning campaign in 2016, quickly earning praise for his relentless carrying, breakdown work and physicality. That same year he helped Ebbw Vale win the Welsh Premiership title before making his Dragons debut against Zebre.

Since then, he has become the heartbeat of the Newport-based region. Keddie enjoyed a breakthrough 2016/17 season, later captaining the side and surpassing 100 appearances for his home club. Through difficult seasons and constant rebuilding at the Dragons, he remained one of the side’s few consistent performers, dragging the team forward with his work ethic and leadership.

Now, after years of supporters demanding his inclusion, Wales have finally turned to a player many feel deserved recognition long ago. Keddie is not a flashy selection, but he brings exactly what Wales have lacked at times — toughness, edge, experience and absolute commitment. With Wales searching for leaders capable of changing the mentality around the squad, Keddie could prove one of the smartest additions of the entire campaign.

RYAN WOODMAN (Dragons – Back Row/Lock)

Ryan Woodman arrives in the Wales squad carrying the reputation of being one of the brightest young forwards to emerge from the Dragons academy in years. Still only 22, the versatile forward is already viewed by many inside Rodney Parade as a future leader at both regional and international level.

Born in Newport and raised in nearby Caldicot, Woodman came through the Dragons pathway after starting his rugby journey at Caldicot RFC. Comfortable at both lock and flanker, his versatility has become one of his biggest strengths, allowing coaches to deploy him across the pack while benefiting from his athleticism and relentless work rate.

Woodman first caught wider attention with Wales U20s, captaining the side in 2023 after previously representing the age-grade setup a year earlier. Teammates and coaches have repeatedly highlighted his maturity and leadership qualities, with many describing him as a “future captain” long before his senior breakthrough. That breakthrough came during the 2024/25 season when Woodman made 18 appearances for Dragons and picked up the club’s Young Player of the Season award.

In a difficult campaign for the Welsh region, he consistently stood out with his physical edge and composure beyond his years. There is growing belief within Welsh rugby that Woodman could become a cornerstone player for the national side over the next decade. Powerful, intelligent and fiercely competitive, he looks tailor-made for Test rugby.

BEN WARREN (Ospreys – Prop)

Ben Warren’s inclusion in the Wales squad feels less like a surprise and more like the continuation of a long-term project that has been quietly building momentum for several years. The Ospreys prop has been on the radar of Welsh coaches for some time and now finally looks closer than ever to winning a first senior cap.

Originally a number eight during his younger years at Ystrad Rhondda RFC, Warren’s switch to prop transformed his career trajectory. After progressing through Rhondda Schools and Coleg y Cymoedd, he developed in Cardiff Blues’ academy before making the move to Ospreys in 2021.

Warren had to be patient for opportunities, making his debut against Connacht in 2022 before gradually becoming a trusted option in the Ospreys front row. His scrummaging has improved significantly over the past two seasons, while his mobility around the field makes him a modern front-row option capable of contributing in open play. The loosehead has already spent time around the senior Wales setup, training with the squad ahead of the 2024 South Africa tour and later earning call-ups during the 2025 Six Nations and Autumn Nations Series without making his debut.

Now 25, Warren arrives with far more experience and confidence behind him. Coaches value his work ethic and adaptability, and with Wales searching for reliable front-row depth, this could finally be the tournament where he establishes himself at international level.

BRYN BRADLEY (Harlequins – Centre)

Wales have once again looked across the border for one of their most exciting young prospects, with Harlequins centre Bryn Bradley choosing the red jersey despite having strong English connections throughout his rugby upbringing.

Born in London and educated at Epsom College, Bradley developed through the Harlequins academy system while also playing for Cobham RFC. Yet despite spending his career in England, the powerful midfielder has always maintained close Welsh ties through his Newport-born mother and brother Gwilym, who plays for Cardiff.

Bradley’s rise has been impressive. After graduating into Harlequins’ senior academy in 2021, he gained valuable senior experience on loan at London Scottish before breaking into Quins’ first-team setup. His combination of size, footwork and physicality quickly caught attention, with the 6ft 4in centre making Premiership appearances against Bristol Bears and Newcastle Falcons.

Internationally, Bradley represented Wales U20s and scored during the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship, showcasing his ability to break defensive lines and create momentum from midfield. Interestingly, he also played rugby league for Wales U18 while coming through the junior ranks with Elmbridge Eagles. Still only 23, Bradley offers Wales something they have badly lacked in recent years: a genuine gain-line threat in midfield. Powerful but skilful, he has the attributes to develop into a modern international centre capable of thriving at the highest level.

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